Ron Paul Slams NDAA on the House Floor (Indefinite Detention for U.S. Citizens Act)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a very simple piece of legislation to repeal the infamous Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act, quietly signed into law by the president on New Year’s Day.

Section 1021 essentially codifies into law the very dubious claim of presidential authority under the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force to indefinitely detain American citizens without access to legal representation or due process of law. Section 1021 provides for the possibility of the US military acting as a kind of police force on US soil, apprehending terror suspects – including Americans — and whisking them off to an undisclosed location indefinitely. No right to attorney, no right to trial, no day in court.

This is precisely the kind of egregious distortion of justice that Americans have always ridiculed in so many dictatorships overseas. A great man named Solzhenitsyn became the hero of so many of us when he exposed the Soviet Union’s extensive gulag system. Is this really the kind of United States we want to create in the name of fighting terrorism?

Some have argued that nothing in Section 1021 explicitly mandates holding Americans without trial, but it employs vague language radically expanding the detention authority to include anyone who has “substantially supported” certain terrorist groups or “associated forces.” No one has defined what those two terms mean. What is an “associated force”?

Sadly, too many of my colleagues are too willing to undermine our Constitution to support such outrageous legislation. One senator even said about American citizens picked up under this section of the NDAA, “When they say, ‘I want my lawyer,’ you tell them, ‘Shut up. You don’t get a lawyer.'” Is this acceptable in someone one who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution?

Mr. Speaker, of course I recognize how critical it is that we identify and apprehend those who are suspected of plotting attacks against Americans. But why do we have so little faith in our justice system? Have we not tried in civilian court and won convictions of hundreds of individuals for terrorist or related activities? I fully support our continuing to do so, but let us not abandon what is so unique and special about our system of government in the process.

I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I impressed, I should say. In fact hardly ever do I encounter a weblog that each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you’ve got got hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not enough folks are talking intelligently about. I’m very glad that I stumbled across this in my search for something regarding this.

so who is the senator that said shut up you don’t get a lawyer -we need to send hin back to Great Britain so he can get on his knees before the king -seriously we need to defeat this senator in the next election

Stop NDAA

Go Ron! No, during the Fox Debate in SC, Romney got booed very loudly by the audience.

Anyone catch during the last debate (I am sure you have) that Romney supports this bill!!

He says that we just have to trust that the Presidents will understand this power and use it wisely. Unreal & I think the crowd cheered after he said it. Good point to remember when trying to convince others to join our cause.

Also remember – we are trying to win people over, not win online debates. Insults do not win people over!!! Solid reasoning with kindness has the best chance. Be nice, even when others are wrong.

The free podcasts are en excellent way for people to listen to Paul’s views, while jogging or walking.

Can’t believe anyone would vote for anyone else… Ron Paul is the only person deserving and qualified for the oath of office.Take this poll to help expose the other GOP candidates!http://poll.pollcode.com/sdmq

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9:14 am: "ooo wow nice attempt at a ad hom! Did the reds steal the election from you? Where is McCarthy when you need him? Am I right?" - JBrown

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